Miniature HD Camera System

ABSTRACT

A miniature high definition camera system which converts parallel data to serial data at the camera and then back to parallel data at a remote digital video recorder to avoid signal attenuation issues known to occur with parallel data transmitted across data cables. The camera system features video sensors to permit recording in visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths as well as in low light for night vision.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/890,873 filed on Oct. 15, 2013 and co-pending U.S.Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/178,256 filed on Feb. 11, 2014and Ser. No. 14/514,673 filed on Oct. 15, 2014.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The device of the present application relates generally to wearableaudio-visual electronics. More specifically, the device of the presentapplication relates to a device and method which permits greaterminiaturization of the camera while permitting the recording of highdefinition video.

BACKGROUND

Digital cameras have undergone increasing miniaturization and they haveenabled an increasing variety of opportunities for low-resolutionhands-free photography and videography. Digital videography has beenfurthered by the use of improved data compression, higher bandwidth dualpurpose cables and better audio-video interfaces, e.g. DVI, HDMI, IEEE1394, and DisplayPort. However, the transfer of increasinglyhigher-definition video requires a greater bitrate than conventionalcoaxial cable can provide because of the use of significantly morepixels per image and a higher frame rate. The ability to transfer largeamounts of data at high speeds has been a limiting factor to the use ofminiature cameras since data storage must be remote from the camera toachieve the smallest configurations. Signal attenuation is also asignificant barrier which limits the effective length of the audio-videocable.

HDMI cable can be manufactured to Category 1 specifications easily andinexpensively by using 28 AWG conductors which have diameters of 0.0126in, i.e. 0.321 mm Higher quality HDMI cables can be manufactured toCategory 2 specifications and utilize 24 AWG conductors which havediameters of 0.0201 in, i.e. 0.511 mm Several versions of the HDMIspecification have been released with HDMI 2.0 being the most recentlyreleased version. HDMI versions 1.3 and 1.4 are much more common.

The effective length of an audio-video cable is limited by the bandwidthof the cable and signal attenuation. When an audio-video cable is usedto transfer data in real-time with no buffer at the camera the effectivelength is reduced even further.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses a miniature digital camera systemusing a HDMI audio-video cable to transfer video data as it is collectedto an audio-visual data recording device, i.e. DVR (digital videorecorder) tethered to the end of a data cable. The digital cameracollects high-definition (HD) video and feeds it directly to a DVR inreal-time. Normally, the HDMI audio-video cable would not be able toprovide the throughput needed at a cable length in excess of a fewcentimeters due to signal attenuation. While the applicationpredominantly discussed throughout this disclosure relates to HD videorecording, nothing in this disclosure should be read as limiting thedata collected to video within the spectrum visible to humans as it isanticipated that data of interest at other wavelengths, e.g. infrared,ultraviolet, ultrasound, etc. . . . , could also be recorded in additionto specific wavelengths, processed signals, and low light visualization.

A method of data conversion is disclosed herein which enables increasedHDMI tether length of the audio-visual cable for placement of the DVRseveral feet from the digital camera. A method of connecting the HDMIaudio-visual cable to the printed circuit board of the digital camera soas to minimize the camera size is also described.

Various embodiments of miniature camera housings and mounting means aredescribed herein which facilitate the use of the miniature camera systemin various applications for broadcast and training, e.g. horse racing,football, and hunting.

A lens protection system and method for use which maintains the lens ina substantially clean state so as to not allow dirt and otherenvironmental contaminants to interfere with the image to be recorded isalso described herein. In a preferred embodiment of the system, aplurality of removable transparent lens covers are arranged to cover acamera lens. A further embodiment is described which permits recordingvideo from the perspective of a jockey. A still further embodiment isdisclosed which relates to wirelessly transmitting the video and/oraudio recorded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the subject camera system with datacable and remote mini-DVR.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of thesubject camera system.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective exploded view of the mini-DVR and DVRharness.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of thesubject mini-DVR battery compartment and battery panel.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the mini-DVR withDVR casing removed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting the method of video data serializationand remote deserialization.

FIG. 7 depicts a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the camerasystem and mini-DVR as installed within a football helmet.

FIG. 7a depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a camera mount.

FIG. 7b depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a camera mount.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the camera systemand jockey goggles.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective partial view of an embodiment of the camerasystem mounted onto jockey goggles.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective partial view of an embodiment of thecamera system as used with progressively nested jockey goggles.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective partial view of an embodiment of thesingle gun barrel mount having an adjustable band.

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective partial view of an embodiment of thedouble gun barrel mount having an adjustable band.

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a key-keywaycamera mount.

FIG. 14 depicts perspective view an embodiment of a dismounted cameramount for eyewear.

FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of a disassembled camera mount clip havinga ball and socket joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A high definition miniature camera system 100 is disclosed herein inaccordance with FIG. 1. A miniature camera 90 as depicted in FIG. 2 isfurther disclosed herein. This assembly incorporates a video sensor 18integrated onto a camera PCB 10, i.e. printed circuit board, preferablya circuit board capable of supporting high speed serial communicationlines. The PCB 10 is affixed within a lens housing 35 having a lens 60or lenses 60 which is affixed over the video sensor 18. The PCB 10 isreceived within the lens housing 35. In a preferred embodiment, the lenshousing 35 is a planar panel having a distal lens support surface 32 anda proximal lens support surface 34 from which the lens housing 35extends in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the proximallens support surface 34. The lens housing 35 is affixed to the PCB 10across the distal lens support surface 32 with the video sensor 18oriented toward the distal lens support surface 32 with the lens housing35 substantially centered above the video sensor 18.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the PCB 10 and lens housing 35 combine to formthe camera module 40 and are contained within a camera module housing70. The camera module housing 70 is preferably constructed from at leasttwo parts which assemble together to encase and secure the PCB 10 andlens housing 35. The proximal camera module casing 50 preferablypossesses, in part, the lens housing 35, dowel receptacles 55, lenshousing port 62 and proximal camera module recess 51 into which the lenshousing 35 with the installed PCB 10 are received. The distal cameramodule casing 41 preferably possesses, in part, the distal camera modulerecess 47 and dowels 43. To assemble, the camera module 40 is insertedinto the proximal camera module recess 51 in the proximal camera modulecasing interior surface 53 with the lens housing 35 received into thelens housing port 62.

Mobile phone and smart device camera and microphone technology isbelieved to be suitably small and be sufficiently power efficient to beof use in this configuration, however, in a preferred embodiment, a highdefinition video sensor 18 equipped with wide angle lens 60 having aresolution of at least 3 megapixels, more preferably at least 4megapixels, and most preferably at least 5 megapixels is integrated ontothe PCB 10 beneath the lens housing 35.

The distal camera module casing 40, as depicted in FIG. 2, is alignedwith and affixed to the proximal camera module casing 50 by alignmentmeans 43, e.g. dowels 43. The camera module housing 70 may be furthersealed with the application of an adhesive along the camera modulehousing 70 joint 66. A preferred embodiment of the alignment means 43utilizes dowels 43 protruding from the of the distal camera modulecasing 40. The dowels 43 of the distal camera module casing 40 arereceived into dowel receptacles 55 within the proximal camera modulecasing 50 so as to join the proximal and distal camera module casings32, 40. The proximal and distal camera module casings 32, 40 are securedin their joined orientation and sealed. In a further preferredembodiment, the lens 60 is seated against the lens housing 35 to inhibitthe introduction of moisture and contaminants into the camera 90. In afurther embodiment, a seal 66 is placed between the lens 60 and lenshousing 35 to further weatherproof the camera 90. In an alternativeembodiment, the lens housing 35 possesses an interior annular groove 65about the lens housing interior surface 67 to further improve theweather resistance of the camera 90 by inhibiting the introduction ofwater and environmental contaminants into the camera module housing 70.

The camera module housing 70 casings 32, 40 are preferably constructedof plastic, preferably molded from a deformable material such as athermoplastic, e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The casings32, 40 may be created from a mold or from a three dimensional printer.Plastic is a preferred material due to the cost of materials andmanufacturing as well as its low mass and rigid nature. The cameramodule housing 70 may further possess a camera mounting means 130 tofacilitate the placement and affixation of the camera 90 to a desiredlocation. The camera mounting means 130 may be affixed to the cameramodule housing 70 or it may be integrated into one or more camerahousing casings 32, 40. Non-limiting examples of camera mounting means130 include tensioned clips, mounting arms with hardware attachmentmeans (e.g. screws) receiving holes, and ring clamps.

As depicted in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, an audio-visual cable140 is used to transfer data from the camera PCB 10 to a remoteaudio-visual data recording device 200, i.e. data storage device 200,e.g. a DVR 200. A HD video sensor 18 on the PCB 10 converts imagesobtained through the lens 60 into data which are associated withspecific pixels on each captured image frame. Since the stream of videodata is continuous, discrete frames are captured sequentially at a ratemeasured in frames per second, i.e. fps. Each pixel contains data,therefore the greater the resolution and the greater the number ofpixels, the greater the amount of data collected and transferred.Additionally, the greater the image fps, the greater the number offrames are recorded and therefore an increasingly greater amount of datais collected and transferred. The data from the video sensor 18 istransmitted in a parallel communications protocol. Protocols forparallel transmission, such as those used for computer ports, have beenstandardized by ANSI.

Parallel communications protocol is a method of conveying multiplebinary digits, i.e. bits, simultaneously. It contrasts with serialcommunication protocol, which conveys only a single bit at a time.Interference between parallel lines, i.e. crosstalk worsens withincreasingly longer lengths required for the parallel communication linkalong the audio-visual cable 140. Crosstalk, e.g. undesired capacitive,inductive, or conductive coupling, is a phenomenon by which a signaltransmitted on one channel creates an undesired effect in anotherchannel. The ratio of the power in a disturbing channel or circuit tothe induced power in the disturbed channel circuit is crosstalk couplingand is expressed in units of dB when describing crosstalk coupling loss,i.e. signal loss. This restricts the effective length of a parallel dataconnection for use with this application to about 3 centimeters when ameter or more is typically necessary to remove the media recorder 200from the immediate vicinity of the camera 90.

To avoid the significant signal interference and/or signal lossencountered while transmitting parallel communications data, theparallel data is converted, as described in FIG. 6, to serial data byintegrated circuitry 37 affixed to the camera PCB 10. The integratedcircuitry 37, e.g. a microcontroller, microprocessor, or functionalequivalent, may be separate componentry affixed to the camera PCB 10 ormay be the video sensor 18. Parallel-to-serial conversion converts astream of multiple data elements, received simultaneously, into a streamof data elements transmitted in time sequence, i.e. one at a time.Recent improvements in serial communications have resulted in serialcomputer buses becoming more common as improved signal integrity,transmission speeds, and simplicity have begun to outweigh itsdisadvantages relative to parallel communications, e.g. speed, clockskew, and interconnect density.

As depicted in FIG. 2, in order to transmit significant amounts of videodata to a remote media recorder 90, a standard mini-HDMI cable 140 isrepurposed and the conductors 131 therein are used as separate lowvoltage differential serial communication lines to obtain the necessarythroughput without sacrificing the signal. The serialized data can betransmitted over a repurposed mini-HDMI cable 140 for at least 54 in,1.3716 m, without significant signal interference or loss. Video sensors18 with higher resolution capacity require an audio-visual cable 140with more conductors 131 to transmit the data at a sufficient bitrate tocapture all of the data.

In a preferred embodiment, a CMOS, i.e. a complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor, imaging chip is utilized as the video sensor18 on the PCB 10. CMOS is a type of active pixel sensor made using theCMOS semiconductor process. The video sensor 18 converts the receivedlight energy to a voltage. In a CMOS video sensor 18, each pixel has itsown charge-to-voltage conversion, and the sensor 15 often also includesamplifiers, noise correction, and digitization circuits, so that chipoutputs are digital bits.

In a further preferred embodiment, a 5 megapixel (MP) CMOS sensor 15with a dynamic range of about 70 dB is integrated with the PCB 10 toprovide responsivity of less than 2 microvolts/lux-s. Dynamic range isthe ratio of a pixel's saturation level to its signal threshold.Responsivity is the amount of signal the sensor 15 delivers per unit ofinput optical energy. This generates approximately 2,353 MB/s of data.Frame rates of 30 fps are utilized which generates 1,176 MB/s of data,although 60 fps is possible. The mini-HDMI audio-video cable 140 isrepurposed to provide eight serial channels using sixteen conductors131. Using 8 channels, an effective communication speed of approximately147 MHz at 30 fps is achieved using a standard LVDS, i.e. low-voltagedifferential signaling, serial communications protocol. Alternativeembodiments employ HiSPi, Four-Lane MIPI, or other available serialcommunications protocols.

In a still further embodiment, the video sensor 18 is a module that maybe removed and interchanged with other video sensors that sense light atdifferent wavelengths and/or levels, e.g. non-visible wavelengths. In apreferred embodiment, a low light video sensor can be removably affixedwithin the camera module housing 70. In yet a further embodiment, aninfrared sensor can be removably affixed within the camera modulehousing 70. In a still further embodiment, an ultraviolet sensor can beremovably affixed within the camera housing 70. Moreover, the lens mayalso be interchanged to provide for different focal lengths, filters, oreven a wide-angle lens.

To achieve optimal miniaturization of the camera 90, the audio-videocable 140 is hard wired directly to the PCB 10 by soldering conductors131 to terminals on the PCB solder side 14. The audio-video cableconductors 131 are soldered directly to the PCB solder side 14,therefore the PCB 10 can be constructed substantially smaller than a PCB10 having a conventional audio-video cable 140 connection using machinesoldering methods, e.g. incorporating a standard male or female HDMIconnector onto a flange on the side of the PCB 10 for the wire solderpads. As a result the camera 90 can be further miniaturized through theelimination of the standard male or female connectors on the PCB 10.Additionally, the absence of a bulky connector allows the for thearbitrary orientation of the audio-video cable 140 as it exits thecamera module housing 70, providing flexibility in camera module housing70 design.

After the audio-video cable 140 exits the camera module housing 70through the audio-video cable port 68, the audio-visual cable 140 isretained by the cord guide 57. The cord guide 57 is preferably affixedto or integrated onto the camera module housing 70. The cord guide 57secures the audio-video cable 140 to the camera module housing 70 sothat the soldered connections 36 affixing the audio-video cable 140 tothe PCB 10 will not be damaged and disconnected.

The CMOS video sensor 18 chip compresses the video into a compressedvideo file, preferably for temporary storage in flash memory prior torecording the data. Preferably the digital video is compressed into astandard format, e.g. mp4, avi, etc. . . . , and subsequentlytransmitted via an audio-video cable 140 to a media recorder 90. In ayet further preferred embodiment, the video is transmitted wirelessly bya transmitter 189 or transponder 189.

In a preferred embodiment, Bluetooth is used as a means of wirelesscommunication. All modem mobile telephones are Bluetooth enabled andhave that protocol factory installed, as do most personal electronicdevices; therefore a Bluetooth based implementation provides a proventechnology which would be economical and cost effective. Connectionsbetween Bluetooth enabled electronic devices allow these devices tocommunicate wirelessly through short-range, ad hoc networks known aspiconets. Piconets may be established dynamically and automatically asBluetooth enabled devices enter and leave radio proximity Bluetoothtechnology operates in the unlicensed industrial, scientific and medical(ISM) band at 2.4 to 2.485 GHz, using a spread spectrum, frequencyhopping with Gaussian frequency shift keying (GFSK), differentialquadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK), or eight-phaseshift differentialphase-shift keying (8DPSK) modulation. The basic data gross rate is 1Mbit/s for GFSK, 2 MB/s for DQPSK, and 3 MB/s for 8DPSK.

The 2.4 GHz ISM band is available and unlicensed in most countries.Ideally, a Bluetooth transmitter used in the present system will be aclass 1 radio, having a range of up to approximately 200 meters (roughly984 feet). In a preferred embodiment, the range could be adjusted byoptimizing the power to the associated Bluetooth transponder. Thefollowing table identifies the power scheme for each class of Bluetoothradio.

TABLE 1 BLUETOOTH POWER CLASSES Class Maximum Power Operating Range 1200 mW (20 dBm) 200 meters 2  2.5 mW (4 dBm)  10 meters 3  1 mW (0 dBm) 1 meter

Other wireless technologies are potentially beneficial as well. Variousshort range wireless technologies of interest are described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 SHORT RANGE WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES Technology Frequency RangeFeatures Bluetooth 2.4 GHz <200 m  Low-power Cellular Common Several kmLonger range cellular bands IEEE 802.22 470 to 768 MHz Many miles Longerrange UWB 3.1 to 10.6 GHz <10 m Low power Wi-Fi 2.4 and 5 GHz <200 m High speed, ubiquity Wireless HD 7 GHz and <10 m Very high speed 60 GHzWireless USB 2.4 GHz <10 m Proprietary protocol

Table 3 summarizes Wireless HD for mobile and portable applications.

TABLE 3 WIRELESS HD FOR NON-STATIONARY DEVICES Device Power AntennasRange Mobile <285 mW 1-4 3-5 m, LOS/NLOS Portable  <1 W ~16 10, NLOS

Table 4 summarizes Wireless HD applications and data transfer rates.

TABLE 3 WIRELESS HD APPLICATIONS Application Data rate LatencyUncompressed QHD 8.0 Gb/s 2 ms (2560 × 1440p, 59.954/60 Hz, 36 bitcolor) Uncompressed 720p frame sequential 3D A/V 4.0 Gb/s 2 ms (1280 ×1440p, 59.94/60 Hz, 36 bit color) Uncompressed 1080p, 120 Hz 7.5 Gb/s 2ms (1920 × 1080p, 119.88/120 Hz, 30 bit color) Uncompressed 1080p A/V3.0 Gb/s 2 ms Uncompressed 1080i A/V 1.5 Gb/s 2 ms Uncompressed 720p A/V1.4 Gb/s 2 ms Uncompressed 480p A/V 0.5 Gb/s 2 ms Uncompressed 7.1surround sound audio 40 Mb/s 2 ms Compressed 1080p A/V4 20-40 Mb/s 2 msUncompressed 5.1 surround sound audio 20 Mb/s 2 ms Compressed 5.1surround sound audio 1.5 Mb/s 2 ms File transfer >1.0 Gb/s N/A

Serialized data from the video sensor 18 on the camera PCB 10 istransmitted to a remote video chip 153 for serial-to-parallel conversionand subsequent compression. The remote video chip 153 is housed on a DVRPCB 171, i.e. preferably a circuit board capable of supporting highspeed serial communication lines, in the DVR housing 174. As previouslystated, the DVR 200 can be located as much as 54 inches, i.e. 1.37meters, from the camera 90 due to the serialization of the data. Havingthe remote video chip 153 compress the data remotely allows for asmaller camera 90 footprint. Conventional miniature cameras use parallelcommunications and require the video chip 15 responsible for compressionto be located no more than 2-3 inches, i.e. 5-8 cm, from thephoto-detector 16 on the PCB 10.

After de-serialization of the data and subsequent compression, the datais stored onto computer readable media 97, e.g. micro-SD card, mini-SDcard, SD-card, solid-state drive, etc. . . . , for wired transfer via ahardware communications port, e.g. micro-USB, or wireless transfer by atransmitter 189. In a preferred embodiment, high speed micro-SDHC ormore preferably micro-SDXC format cards 97 having read/write rates of 25MB/s or higher are used. In an alternative embodiment, an embedded SDcard 97 may be used. Preferably, the computer readable media 97 isremovable for physical transfer to another device for use. In apreferred embodiment, a female mini-HDMI connector 159 is integratedonto the DVR PCB to receive the repurposed HDMI audio-visual cable 140and male mini-HDMI connector 157. A female micro-USB connector 162 isintegrated into the DVR PCB for wired transfer of the data from thecomputer readable media 97. A removable computer readable mediareader/writer 165, as depicted in FIG. 5, permits the user to removablyinsert a media card 167 into the DVR housing 174 and is connected to theDVR PCB 171 to receive the compressed video output from the compressionvideo chip 92. A microphone jack 156, preferably a 2.5 mm audio jack156, is integrated into the DVR housing 174 and connected to integratedcircuitry on the DVR PCB 171 to format and compress audio data from anexternal microphone 137 and transfer it to the computer readable media97. The mini-DVR further possesses a power button 185 to actuate a powerswitch 187.

In a further embodiment, the DVR 200 possesses a second audio receiver138 to receive an audio signal from an external device such as an iPod,cell phone, or radio. The audio from the external device is recordedsimultaneously on the DVR 200 with the video from the camera and audiofrom the external microphone 137. For example, a police officer orparamedic may desire to record radio communication simultaneously withvideo and audio from the external microphone 137. Simultaneous recordingat the DVR 200 eliminates the technical problems associated with editingthe radio communication into the recording at a later time, serves as abetter record since the recording has not been modified, and addscontext to the video and sound recorded from the officer's environment.It is also advantageous to recording prerecorded music or words to thesoundtrack of the video at the DVR 200, again without the technicaldifficulties associated with blending two audio tracks at a later timethrough the use of digital editing software or analog audio systems. Theaudio receiver 138 can be a physical audio jack or a wireless receiverwhich is preferably integrated with the DVR PCB 171.

As depicted in FIGS. 3-5, the DVR housing 174 is preferably a multi-partassembly of at least two parts, the DVR casing 180 and the DVR cover186. The DVR PCB 171, and connectors 159, 162 reside in the DVR casing180 and are powered by a direct current power source 134, i.e. batteries134, stored between the DVR PCB 171 and the DVR casing interior surface177. The batteries 134 may be accessed through a removably attachedbattery access panel 184 on the DVR casing exterior surface 183.

The DVR housing 174 is preferably removably attached to the wearer ofthe miniature camera 90 by a wearable DVR harness 250. The harness 250may be affixed wherever it may be conveniently worn. In a preferredembodiment, the harness 250 receives the DVR housing 174 which itsecures in a snap-fit arrangement with the tensioned harness arms 245sliding about the DVR housing 174 to retain the DVR 200 in a frictionfit arrangement. In a still further preferred embodiment, the harness250 possesses strap ports 230 to receive a fixed or adjustable strap 220or may receive the belt of the wearer. In a further embodiment, theharness 250 is equipped with a harness mount 240, e.g. tensioned harnessclip 240 which permits it to be slid onto an object and retained in afriction-fit arrangement. The DVR housing 174 further possesses amicrophone clip 247.

In an additional embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 13, the distal cameramodule casing 40 detachably mates with a camera mount 130. In apreferred embodiment, the camera housing 50 and camera mount 130 mate ina key-keyway arrangement. In a further preferred embodiment, the distalcamera module casing 40 possesses a slotted keyway 92 that is integratedwith the camera module housing 70 that is oriented substantiallyperpendicularly to the camera mount face 116 and parallel to axis alongthe length of the lens housing 35 of the camera 90. The key 98 issubstantially parallel to the camera mount face 116 and connected by akey support arm 104.

The keyway 92 is configured to descend onto they key 98 so that theexterior surface of the distal camera module casing 40 is substantiallyparallel with the key 98 and the camera mount face 116. The keyway 92possesses a key support arm channel 107 in the distal keyway wall 95 topermit the key 98 to traverse the keyway 92 without being hindered bythe keyway 92 until the key support arm channel 107 terminates at thekey stop 101. The key support arm channel 107 acts to help guide the key98 through the keyway 92 and secures its orientation so as to inhibitrotation. In a still further preferred embodiment, the key 98 is securedin the keyway 92 by a tensioned key stop tab 110 that is displaced bythe key 98 as it enters the keyway 92 and reengages once the key bottom113 of the key 98 passes the tensioned key stop tab 110 passes by and isno longer displaced. Removal of the key 98 must first be initiated bydepressing the tensioned key stop tab 110 to permit the key 98 to slideover it and down the keyway 92. In a further embodiment, they key 98 isT-shaped when viewed along its vertical axis, with the key support arm104 forming the figurative downward stem of the letter T and the keyway92 designed to receive and restrain the crossbar of the letter “T” asthe key 98 while possessing a key arm support channel 107 to permit thesupport arm to pass through the distal keyway wall 95.

In a further embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cameramount 130 is progressively angled to from the support mount 119 to thekey mount 122. The support mount 3 is affixed to an object for thepurpose of supporting the camera 90. At the opposite end of the cameramount 130 from the support mount, the key mount 122 is either in a fixedangular relationship with the support mount 173 or in an adjustableangular relationship. In a still further embodiment, the angularrelationship between the support mount 119 and the key mount 122 ismodified by movement along an adjustable mount hinge 125.

Applications

Televised horse racing is a growing industry in the United States,spurred by progress in HD television broadcasting and the virtuallycomplete replacement of traditional antenna-to-antenna signalbroadcasting with satellite and digital cable transmissions. One populartrend in the industry is wagering on random rebroadcasts of old races.Previous industry attempts at capturing video from the jockey'sperspective met with significant failure due not only to camera size andvideo quality, but also with limitations created by dirt adhering to thecamera lens mid-race. Jockeys traditionally wear multiple sets of nestedgoggles 285 and shed them during the race as their vision becomesobscured from dirt kicked up by surrounding horses. Since the course istypically damp from being sprayed with water to inhibit dust formation,the dirt tends to adhere to the surface of the goggles 285 and canobscure the jockey's vision and the lens 60 of any camera worn in therace by the jockey. Moreover, some constituents in new synthetic racingsurfaces are susceptible to clumping as they contain significant fibrousmaterial and/or have constituents which can carry a static electricitycharge. It would be ideal to record or broadcast a horse race from theperspective of the jockey using a camera 90 on a goggle mount 300.

In a preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 8-10, a video camera 90is mounted onto jockey goggles 285 to record or broadcast the event. Inthe present embodiment, the innermost set of goggles 285 is equippedwith a miniature camera 90 mounted on the nose bridge 263 of the goggles285, between the eyes of the wearer. The goggles 285 nested outside ofthe inner pair of goggles 285 each possess a transparent lens shield272. The lens shields 272 are arranged so that the adjacent underlyinglens shield 272 is protected by the adjacent outer lens shield 272.Preferably each lens shields 272 is constructed from the same materialas the goggles' lens 275. Common materials are polycarbonate, mid indexplastic and similar transparent materials. As one set of goggles 285 orits lens shield 272 becomes occluded, the jockey removes it mid-racedown around the neck in order to expose an underlying clean set ofgoggles 285 with a clean lens shield 272.

The lens shield 272 can be an extension of the goggle lens 275 or it canbe affixed to the nose bridge 263 on the goggles 285. The goggle lens275 and lens shield 272 have a consistent thickness to preventdistortion. The substantially transparent material for the lens shield272 and goggle lens 275 is chosen based on the desired refractive index,light absorption, and light dispersion, i.e. light scattering,properties. Additionally, a lens shield 272 and goggle lens 275 shouldpossess no manufacturing defects which could affect the wearer's visionor blur the image recorded by the camera 90.

The material for the lens shield 272 is determined in part based on theAbbe number. The Abbe number is used to describe the dispersionproperties of the lens 60 in relation its refractive index and is theratio of the angle of deflection to the mean dispersion angle. A highAbbe number indicates a low level of dispersion. A higher index ofrefraction means a denser material and therefore a thinner lens. In oneembodiment, the chosen lens material has inherent flexibility. In yetanother embodiment, the chosen lens material is rigid. Table 1 providesexamples of the optical properties of common lens materials.

TABLE 1 OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF LENS MATERIALS Refractive Abbe MaterialIndex Value Crown Glass 1.52 59 High Index Glass 1.60 42 High IndexGlass 1.70 39 Plastic CR-39 1.49 58 Mid Index Plastic 1.54 47 Mid IndexPlastic 1.56 36 High Index Plastic 1.60 36 High Index Plastic 1.66 32Trivex 1.53 43 Polycarbonate 1.58 30 Perspex 1.49 54 Acetate 1.47 55Polyacrylate 1.49 63 Polystyrene 1.59 29 Styrene 1.51 43

In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of removable lens shields 272are affixed to the nose bridge 263 of a single pair of goggles 285. Eachlens shield 272 possesses a means for pulling 274 or peeling anindividual lens shield 272 away from the goggles 285. Such pulling means274 includes tabs and similar extensions spatially arranged to permitthe wearer to differentiate between the stacked lens shields 272 andwhich permit the wearer to grasp and individually remove the outermostlens shield 272. An adhesive is applied between the individual lensshields 272 in an area that won't be in front of the lens 60 so as toadhere each lens shield 272 to an adjacent lens shield 272 untilphysically removed by the wearer.

The audio-video cable 140 is affixed to and runs along the top rim 255of the goggles 285. A mini-DVR 200 is remotely worn by the user for datastorage. A microphone 137 is also worn by the user to capture audio torecord with the video data. In an alternate embodiment, the video andaudio data feed from the camera 90 is sent to a portable transmitter 189worn by the wearer for broadcast. In a preferred embodiment, the data istransmitted by Wi-Fi or cellular 3G or 4G technology. In a furtherpreferred embodiment, Wireless HD is used to transmit data by a wirelesstransmitter 189.

A preferred embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 14, incorporates a cameramount 130 designed to affix to the nose bridge 263 of a pair of glasses285 or safety goggles 285. The camera mount 130 would mount in front ofthe nose bridge 263 by using at least one arm to hook over the top ofthe bridge 265 while the bottom of the bridge 263 would possess at leastone arm which would engage the rear of the bridge 263 by passing belowthe base of the bridge 270 to engage the rear surface of the bridge 260or lenses 260. The mount 130 uses the bridge 263 as a fulcrum aboutwhich the mount 130 is affixed by first engaging the top 265 or base 270of the bridge 263 and then applying pressure about the bridge 263 toengage the remaining arm(s) of the mount 130. The converse constructionof the mount 130 is also workable with the mount passing between thebridge 263 and the wearer while engaging the outer surface of the bridge263 and/or lenses.

As depicted in FIGS. 7, 7 a, and 7 b, additional embodiments may usecamera mounts 130 in a variety of military and sporting helmets, e.g.football, hockey, lacrosse, and baseball helmets where the camera 90 isrecessed and mounted within the protective confines of the helmet 580but preferably outside of the wearer's field of vision, e.g. adjacent tothe forehead. In a further alternative embodiment, a helmet 580outfitted with a camera 90 would utilize a DVR 200 housed within thehelmet 580 or affixed thereto. Preferably the DVR 200 would be housedwithin the back of the helmet 580 to minimize damage from impact. TheDVR 200 may be secured within a DVR storage compartment 586 within thehelmet 580. Ideally, the inclusion of the DVR 200 is accomplishedwithout a reduction in the thickness of any padding within the helmet580. Alternatively, a mobile transmitter 189 could be integrated intothe helmet 580, e.g. in the DVR storage compartment 586, using the DVR200 to buffer the data feed or compress it prior to transmission. Thisdata would prove useful in evaluating conditions or performance formilitary and rescue personnel as well as providing feedback on athletetiming, attentiveness and readiness. A plurality of cameras 90 could beemployed to gauge team timing, effectiveness and communication.

When the camera 90 is mounted in a helmet 580, vibration and shockresistance are important thus the helmet mount 600 is anticipated to beconfigured with vibration dampening or deflecting materials and/orstructures. The helmet mount 600 is preferably affixed to the front ofthe helmet 580 and possesses a mounting flange 571, preferably mountedbetween the helmet padding 574 and the helmet inner surface 573. Thehelmet mount 580 is ideally recessed under the brim 575 of the helmet580 at the forehead to keep it out of the visual field of the wearer. Apreferred embodiment of a helmet mount 600 incorporates reinforcementribs 570 and arcuate support arms 572 with the apex of the curve of eachsupport arm 572 extending laterally relative to the mount'sproximal-distal axis. The reinforcement ribs 570 and support arms 572act to absorb vibration between the helmet mount 600 and the camera 90.The helmet mount 600 possesses mount fastener holes 584 which align withexisting fastener holes 590 in the helmet 580 so as to not affect thestructural strength of the helmet 580 and permit the mount flange 592 tobe mounted to the helmet 580 using fasteners 595, e.g. snaps, rivet, andbolts.

The support arms 572 fix the camera mount in place relative to thehelmet 580 and permit the helmet mount 600 to move proximally relativeto the helmet 580 as the helmet 580 is pressed against the forehead. Thesupport arms 572 also provide torsional flexibility, allowing the camera90 to move and deflect laterally as well providing limited rotation ifan outside object gets inside the facemask 582 and impacts the helmetmount 600, thus minimizing breakage and extending the life of the helmetmount 600. In a preferred embodiment, the helmet mount 600 make use ofrounded edges to minimize the likelihood that an outside object willcatch on the camera 90 or support arms 572.

The mount flange 571 ideally possesses at least one and preferably twoflange fastener holes 584 aligned with the helmet fastener holes 590 inthe front of the helmet 580. The flange fastener holes 584 arepreferably slotted so as to permit the mount flange 571 to be secured tomultiple helmet designs. The mount flange 571 may be held in place witha fastener 595. A flexible, positionable helmet mount 600 is preferred.The helmet flange 571 is preferably molded from a deformable materialsuch as a thermoplastic, e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

In yet another embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11-12, a camera 90 iscoupled with a gun barrel mount 400 which is affixed to a gun barrel 380by an adjustable barrel band 350. Ideally a gun barrel camera mount 400would have vibration dampening properties. In alternative embodiments,the adjustable band 350 may be elastic band, a ring clamp, or a strap.This embodiment is anticipated to aid in target acquisition and shootingmechanics for hunters, police, soldiers, and sharpshooters.

An additional camera mount 130 embodiment incorporates a ball and socketjoint mount 500, as depicted in FIG. 15, to permit the camera 90 to berotated into a desired position. Ideally, the ball and socket joint 490is possesses sufficient friction across the joint 490 to permit the ball480 and socket 485 to maintain their relative positions.

In a further embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 16, a camera mount 130further comprises a means to attach the mount 130 to the bridge 263 of apair of glasses or goggles 285. In a preferred embodiment, at least onebridge clip 286 extends from the top of the camera module housing 70 topermit the bridge mount 290 to be removably mounted. Preferably, thebridge clip 286 is formed as an upwardly extending arm 591 progressingfrom the bridge clip 286 origin at the top of the camera module housing70, cresting at a distally oriented bend, and progressing down andforward toward the nose bridge to form a terminal point that creates aninverted u-shape.

The integrated data and power cable is preferably passed along the topof the glasses 285 or goggles 285, outside of the vision of the wearer.The cable may be integrated into the glasses 285 or goggles 285 or maybe affixed by attachment means, e.g. clips, glue, or similar means ofattachment. The clips 258 channel the cable along or impinge the cableto the frame of the glasses or goggles 285. The clips 258 are affixed tothe frame of the glasses 285 or goggles 285 either by clipping using atleast one tensioned arm 291 to create a friction fit arrangement or maybe securely attached to the frame by common means of attachment, e.g.adhesives, screws, hook or loop fabric, and bands which pass through theclip and around the frame. Ideally, the integrated data and power cable140 will pass around the head of the wearer via a helmet or head gearand down the back to a power supply and data recording media assembly250 and/or buffer. Within a jockey's helmet 280, the audio-visual cable140 can be installed so as to pass beneath the padding 282. Theaudio-visual cable 140 is run to a data recorder 250 affixed to thehelmet 280 or worn by the jockey. Alternatively, the data can bewirelessly transmitted from a wireless transmitter 189, e.g. transponder189, to a remote receiver 192. In a still further embodiment, a wired137 or wireless microphone 195 can be incorporated for the capture ofsound along with video or pictures.

In a preferred embodiment, cable clips 258 attach the audio-visual cable140 to the top rim of the goggles 255. The cable clips 258 are affixedso as to provide customized guidance of the audio-visual cable 140.

What is claimed is:
 1. A miniature camera system comprising, a cameramodule which converts light into serial data, said camera modulecomprised of, at least, one lens arranged to direct light onto aphoto-detector of a video sensor affixed to a printed circuit board,integrated circuitry to convert parallel data to serial data, and aplurality of audio inputs on a digital video recorder to record audiofrom a plurality of audio sources simultaneously with the recording ofdigital video, said video sensor selected from the group consisting ofvideo sensors which detect wavelengths in the visible, infrared, andultraviolet spectrums.
 2. The miniature camera system of claim 1,wherein said video sensor which detects light in the visible spectrum isfurther optimized for night vision.
 3. The miniature camera system ofclaim 1, further comprising a data cable, said data cable having aplurality of conducting wires affixed to component terminals on saidprinted circuit board of said camera module wherein each said conductoris arranged to received and communicate a single channel of serial datafrom said integrated circuitry from said camera module.
 4. The miniaturecamera system of claim 3, further comprising an audio-visual datarecording device, said audio-visual data recording device arranged toreceive said serial data communicated by said data cable from saidcamera module, said audio-visual data recording device comprised of, atleast, integrated circuitry affixed to a printed circuit board toconvert received serial data to parallel data and to compress saidparallel data, and a digital data recorder to receive said compressedparallel data and store said data on computer readable media.
 5. Theminiature camera system of claim 4, wherein said digital data recorderpossesses an HDSC card writer.
 6. The miniature camera system of claim4, wherein said data cable is a mini-HDMI audio-visual cable connectedto said printed circuit board in said camera by soldering wireconductors directly to component terminals.
 7. The miniature camerasystem of claim 6, wherein said audio-visual data recording devicepossesses a female mini-HDMI connector to receive said HDMI audio-visualcable.
 8. The miniature camera system of claim 4, wherein saidaudio-visual data recording device possesses a female micro-USBconnector for direct data transfer.
 9. The miniature camera system ofclaim 4, further comprising a microphone.
 10. The miniature camerasystem of claim 9, wherein said digital data recorder receives data fromsaid microphone via a female audio jack that receives a male connectorof said microphone.
 11. The miniature camera system of claim 4, furthercomprising a data recording device harness to retain said data recordingdevice, wherein said harness may be removably affixed to a person orobject.
 12. The miniature camera system of claim 11, wherein saidharness receives said data recording device in a tensioned snap-fitarrangement.
 13. The miniature camera system of claim 3, furthercomprising an audio-visual data transmitting device, said audio-visualdata transmitting device arranged to receive said serial datacommunicated by said data cable from said camera module, saidaudio-visual data transmitting device comprised of, at least, integratedcircuitry affixed to a printed circuit board programmed to convertreceived serial data to parallel data and programmed to compress saidparallel data, and a wireless transmitter to broadcast said compressedparallel data.
 14. The miniature camera system of claim 13, wherein saidwireless transmitter utilizes a communications protocol selected fromthe group consisting of Bluetooth, Wireless HD, Cellular, IEEE 802.22,Wi-Fi, and UWB.
 15. The miniature camera system of claim 3, furthercomprising a camera housing joined to a camera mount by a ball andsocket joint.
 16. The miniature camera system of claim 3, furthercomprising a camera housing affixed to a camera mount having at leastone top mounting arm to extend over a nose bridge of an eyewear frameand at least one bottom mounting arm to extend beneath said nose bridgeof said eyewear frame wherein said top and said bottom mounting arms aretensioned so as to secure said camera housing to said nose bridge whenaffixed to said eyewear.
 17. The miniature camera system of claim 16,wherein said data cable is secured to an upper rim on said eyewear by atleast one cord clip.
 18. The miniature camera system of claim 1, whereinthe video sensor is selected from the group of video sensors optimizedfor infrared, ultraviolet, and human visible wavelengths.
 19. Theminiature camera system of claim 1, wherein the video sensor is a lowlight video sensor.
 20. The miniature camera system of claim 1, whereinthe lens is removably affixed and interchangeable with lenses havingdifferent focal lengths.
 21. The miniature camera system of claim 1,wherein the lens is removably affixed and interchangeable with a lenshaving a different focal lengths.
 22. The miniature camera system ofclaim 1, wherein the lens is removably affixed and interchangeable witha lens having a filter.
 23. The miniature camera system of claim 1,wherein the lens is removably affixed and interchangeable with awide-angle lens.